Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Hundreds Die As Migrant Ship Capsizes; ISIS Says it Beheaded Christians; U.S. Terror Arrests. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired April 20, 2015 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Search crews in the water right now, where hundreds are feared killed when their boat capsizes in the Mediterranean. An immigration crisis spiraling out of control. We'll have the new details ahead.
Horrific new video released by ISIS. It purportedly shows the massacres of dozens of Christians. We're live with the details
Terror plot here at home. The FBI arrests several men across two cities. We'll tell you what's going on there.
Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman. Christine Romans is off today.
Happening now: ships in the Mediterranean recovering scores of bodies this morning. They were among the migrants trying to escape Libya. These migrants died Sunday when the ship they were packed into capsized. One survivor said many who died were locked inside the boat by smugglers.
Our senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman is following the recovery effort from Italy -- Ben.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John, we are in the port of Catania in Sicily, where we are awaiting the Italian coast guard ship Gregoretti where it docked and unloaded the bodies of 24 people who died in this tragedy at sea.
Now, they will be coming, the ship will be coming here later today with 28 survivors. That's what the Italian authorities are saying, is the number of people who they were able to rescue from the sea.
Now, as far as the Maltese authorities, they say as many as 50 people survived.
Now, last night, the Italian authorities issued a statement in which they said had questioned a Bangladeshi survivor from the tragedy who said as many as 950 people may have been on board that ship. A much larger number than the original 650 that Italian authorities were quoting. They also said that this Bangladeshi survivor said during the course
of this disaster, that many of the people who were on the lower decks of the ship were not able to escape because the human traffickers had actually locked them in. As far as those traffickers go, the Italian authorities say they are conducting a widespread investigation of people involved in this tragic business of human trafficking. They have detained an unknown number of individuals from Sub-Saharan Africa. This investigation is conducted in Rome and Milan as well -- John.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Ben Wedeman for us covering that tragedy.
New this morning, U.S. officials are condemning an apparent ISIS beheading of two groups of prisoners. You can see one group here part of the new ISIS video campaign. They are believed to be Ethiopian Christians. National Security Council officials are calling the killings a mass murder. A spokeswoman says the beheadings are, quote, "an attempt to sow discord among religious communities."
Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson joins us now with the latest.
And, Nic, the image that this is portraying is one of coordination.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is really. This seems to be just another brutal ISIS video, but with multiple messages. The principle message is -- this is an over 30-minute video. The principle message is the Christian communities who are living under ISIS control, either you change to Islam, ether you pay a non-Muslim tax or face death. That's part of the message.
Another part of the message is that ISIS has control in various parts of Libya. One group of people executed here who they claim are Ethiopian Christians, one group executed on the Mediterranean Sea, right in the north of Libya. The other group executed, according to the video by gunshot on the southern borders of Libya.
This effort to show they control across the country. The other part of this narrative as well is because this video has been put together by the same media group that ISIS uses in Iraq and Syria and it takes these disparate elements supposedly from different areas of Libya and they are put together by ISIS main media arm, if you will. So, this again designed to show the spread across Libya, but how they are coordinated with ISIS in other parts of the Middle East, John.
BERMAN: Nic, ISIS may not control Libya, or as much of Libya as it intends to show the world that it has right now. But it does have a position there, and perhaps a greater position in many other countries.
ROBERTSON: It has positions on the northern coast. It is able to execute attacks outside of capital Tripoli. It's also on the attack against the internationally recognized government in the very east of Libya as well, as well as smaller groupings along the northern coast. [04:35:08] There are other Islamist factions there as well. What they
what ISIS is doing in Libya is typical of what they did in Syria, typical of what they done in Iraq, which is use the instability to grow their presence, if you will, sow their seeds for future barbaric acts, John.
BERMAN: Deeply troubling.
All right. Nic Robertson, thanks so much.
The FBI has arrested at least six men in Minneapolis and San Diego in connection with an ISIS-inspired terror plot. More details are expected in a news conference later today. We do know the plot involved young people traveling to Syria or trying to in order to join up with ISIS. Authorities say there was never any direct threat to the public.
Nuclear talks with Iran resume this week in Vienna. Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei slammed the United States on Sunday. He accused the White House of creating a myth about his country's nuclear intentions. But so far, he is still backing the negotiations.
Later today, President Obama will host the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates over the framework deal that has been reached with Iran.
A tsunami advisory has been lifted in the Sea of Japan after a powerful earthquake at sea. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake in the waters east of Taiwan in south of Okinawa costs buildings to sway in Taipei, and forced residents in several cities to seek higher ground. The tsunami advisory was lifted about an hour after it was issued. Right now, there are no reports of serious damage or injuries.
Let's get an early start on your money. CNN Money correspondent Cristina Alesci is here this morning.
CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it is interesting. Not all markets are moving together. In fact, Asia shares are tumbling, but that doesn't seem to be impacting futures here just yet. They are higher after a really rough end to the week. Remember, on Friday, markets fell across the board. Dow shed 279 points, or 1.5 percent, the NASDAQ down similar percentage.
Now, that was largely due to the Chinese government announcing regulations on trading. Today, some more bad news out of China. The central bank recognizing a need more stimulus as the economy there slows down.
But despite the concern about China's growth, we're still very close to record highs here. The Dow just 2.5 percent away from the record high.
Wall Street will be looking ahead to a week of big earnings. We will hear from IBM and Morgan Stanley later today. Remember, earnings are expected to fall 3 percent this quarter. That is the first profit decline since 2009.
BERMAN: All right. Cristina Alesci and IBM, we're counting on both of you to turn things around. Thanks so much.
ALESCI: OK, we'll do.
BERMAN: Hundreds protesting the death of a man severely injured while being arrested. The community demands to know what happened. We'll tell all about it, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:41:31] BERMAN: Happening today, Hillary Clinton begins what her campaign says is the first of many visits to New Hampshire. Candidate Clinton is continuing the small scale theme she had in Iowa last week. This afternoon, she'll tour a small family business that makes small scale furniture for kids.
Our senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny is in New Hampshire with the latest -- Jeff.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Hillary Clinton begins the second week of her presidential campaign here in New Hampshire. She'll be spending at least two days here, kind of retreading the visit that she started last week in Iowa. It's all small events meeting voters one on one in coffee shops and diners, trying to reconnect and reintroduce herself to what her campaign says are every day Americans.
Now, she is coming after a long weekend of Republican campaigning in New Hampshire. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Scott Walker, a long list of Republicans all trying to distinguish themselves against her. That's the environment she walks into, but she will be focusing on her own policies, and she had a few policies which we saw last week and we'll see if she defines those even more this week.
Same-sex marriage is a different view from eight years ago. She is not sure of the trade deal of Congress right now. Liberals oppose that, so -- forcefully.
So, that's the environment she is walking into as she comes into New Hampshire to campaign. She is going to have a meeting in Keene and Concord, and then do events across the state for at least the next two days. But she still will not have a big policy speech to roll out her big proposals until mid-May -- John.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Jeff Zeleny in New Hampshire for us.
And as Jeff mentioned, on the Republican side, the parade of candidates was in New Hampshire this weekend and they took turns taking shots at Hillary Clinton.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARLY FIORINA, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CEO, HP: Hillary Clinton must not be president of the United States.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: This listening tour is something out of North Korea. Would you like to meet the dear leader and ask him anything you would like?
SEN. RAND PAUL (R-KY), 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that her dereliction of duty, her not doing her job, her not providing security for forces for our diplomatic missions should forever preclude her from holding higher office.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: I think there were 19 or 20 prospective candidates up there. One man who was not, this man, Ohio Governor John Kasich. He said he is seriously considering a 2016 run. He is not ready to make it official just yet.
The mayor of Baltimore is promising a thorough investigation following the death of Freddie Gray. The 27-year-old Baltimore man died Sunday one week after being taken into custody by police. His family claims that police are involved in a cover up now. Videos from the shows Gray being dragged into a van by officers with hands behind his back. How he wound up into a coma and died is unclear.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY BATTS, BALTIMORE POLICE COMMISSIONER: With a sadness in my heart, I extend deepest sympathies to his family. I have no words to offer that will ease the pain that resulted in this issue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Baltimore police are not commenting on this case. Hundreds of people protested outside Baltimore precinct house over the weekend. And more organizers will plan more demonstrations they say until the truth comes out.
The Tulsa County sheriff is expected to speak out on the training of Tulsa volunteer deputy Robert Bates.
[04:45:00] The 73-year-old Bates is charged with manslaughter in a fatal shooting suspect he says he meant to subdue with his taser. The attorney for Bates over the weekend released records that he says show Bates did meet all of the training required in Oklahoma to be a reserve deputy.
An Ohio police officer is being praised for holding his fire as a murder suspect rushed at him. The harrowing confrontation was caught on the officer's body camera of the officer. Now, on the video, the suspect pleads with Officer Jesse Kidder to shoot him, Kidder refuses.
National correspondent Polo Sandoval has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, John, good morning. The Ohio officer's personal body camera captured that very confrontation that could have taken a deadly turn.
OFFICER: Get your hands up! Get your hands up right now! Get your hands up right now!
SUSPECT: Shoot me.
SANDOVAL: That guy you see in the frame, he is the suspect of a double murder according to CNN affiliate WLWT. Despite the New Richmond Officer Jesse Kidder's commands to get on the ground, he repeatedly runs toward the officer and asked him to shoot him. Kidder said the suspect was trying to commit suicide by cop. In fact, you see the officer back pedal so fast, he loses his footing and falls. He keeps his cool with the pistol sight on the suspect without pulling the trigger.
OFFICER JESSE KIDDER, NEW RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT: Law enforcement officers all across the national deal with split second decisions that may mean life or death. I wanted to be sure before I used deadly force.
SANDOVAL: We should mention, there has been criticism about the way Kidder handle handled it. Some former law enforcement officials say he should have opened fire the very moment the suspect rushed him.
New Richmond police Chief Randy Harvey says he would stand by his officer if deadly force was used.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For him to make the judgment call that he did shows great restraint and maturity. The video footage eliminate all doubt that this officer would have been justified if in fact it came to a shooting.
SANDOVAL: The Chief Harvey goes on says he is working to secure funding to make sure all of his officers have similar body cameras. You see the one that was used to capture was purchased by Kidder's family, John.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Polo for that.
Fallen trees, power lines down, homes and buildings torn apart. This is the damage inflicted by severe storms that rolled through the South over the weekend.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings across counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. At least one EF-1 tornado touched down in Alabama, train cars were overturned. Thousands are without power in the region this morning. One Ohio woman was killed after a tree crashed on top of the car she was driving.
More severe weather on tap in the east today. Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri tracking the threat of storms -- Pedram. PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, good Monday morning, John.
The severe weather we saw with over 400 storm reports across the southern U.S., that's all moved off to the east right now. We do have some active weather in northern Alabama, north Georgia and Carolinas this morning.
But some of the strongest rainfall centered over the northeast, and 4 inches is possible the next couple of days. Severe weather threat still in the forecast as well. Generally from Columbia towards the nation's capital. High temperatures in D.C. will make it to 80. When you factor in the heat, the inclement weather in place, it could spawn a few isolated tornadoes that could be severe into the afternoon hours.
But between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., that's where I perceive the heaviest rainfall coming down on New York City and Boston today. Of course, Boston marathon in effect, we know some real rain showers with the winds up to 30 and 40 miles per hour in parts of New England. The rainfall through Wednesday will be significant with flooding around the northeast. Notice the cooler temperatures also coming into the forecast as we head to the middle portion of the week -- John.
BERMAN: Our thanks to Pedram for that.
The crisis intensifies in Yemen this morning. Rebels in this bloody civil war vow to keep fighting. Is there any hope for a cease-fire this morning at this point? We are live with the developments, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:52:51] BERMAN: New violence in Yemen this morning. It has been more than three weeks since Saudi Arabia started a campaign against airstrikes against the Houthis rebels there. The leader of the Houthis defiantly appeared on television, calling the Saudi mission doomed.
Let's get the latest from international correspondent Nima Elbagir who has seen this first hand.
Nima, what's the latest this morning?
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As you said, the latest statement from the Houthi leader putting an end to the hope that negotiations were eminent. The former Yemeni President Ali Abdul Saleh issued a statement on his web site saying he would welcome negotiations. We have been hearing that from the Iranian supreme leader.
But the Houthi leader, he appears to be distancing himself from any attempt he said to bow the Yemeni people. He said they will continue to stand united as long as the air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition continue. This, of course, they are with no respite in sight. They seem to be intensifying.
The Saudis says they have hit key arms depots. All the while, civilians are trapped these frontlines, John. The U.N. has revised its figures from those displaced from their homes from the fighting, which we say street to street in some areas, they 150,000 people have had to flee their homes -- John.
BERMAN: The Yemenis are trying to get out. Americans trapped in Yemen.
Why is it so difficult to get beyond the borders, Nima?
ELBAGIR: The U.S. has said that for them in their assessment of the situation, it is not safe. They are concerned it would make U.S. citizens a greater target if they were congregating in one place. But the reality is other governments have gone in and they have gotten their nationals out.
The Indian government brought out 5,000 nationals. They brought some Americans with them as well.
We were one of the first ships to port, to dock in Aden port for over a week.
[04:55:02] It was a happy coincidence for some of those Americans we met that they managed to get on our ship. We brought about 15 with us. They told us there were 75 more stranded at port who did not have the fees to pay the port authorities to leave.
It was just an absolutely heart breaking situation. One woman, her son was in Iraq war vet. She did not understand why her country. She didn't understand why her country wasn't coming to get them -- John.
BERMAN: Harrowing situation to be sure. Nima Elbagir, thanks so much.
So, Lilly Pulitzer igniting a shopping frenzy at Target, basically breaking the Internet. We will have an early start on your money, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: Time now for an early start on your money. Cristina Alesci is here.
ALESCI: Wall Street is a bit optimistic this morning. U.S. futures are slighter higher right now after a rough day on Friday. Remember, markets tumbled across the board. The Dow shed 279 points or 1.5 percent, the NASDAQ was down about the same on the percentage basis, and the S&P down by 1 percent.
But today, Wall Street is looking to a big week of earnings. We will hear from IBM and Morgan Stanley later today.
You're going to love this story, John. Retailer Target ignited a shopping frenzy yesterday when it launched its Lilly Pulitzer line of clothing and accessories. Demand for the items left shelves were bare and overwhelmed the web site. Dresses and bags have been popping up on eBay, sometimes at double the retail prize. I personally don't get it. But these times are really popular, and actually, it's helping Target to regain is Target coolness.
